Air method electric cleaner and carpet sweeper



June 29, 1937. D. B. REPLOGLE 2,035,042

AIR METHOD ELECTRIC CLEANER AND CARPET SWEEI ER Filed March 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR 0 YPep/oy/e M1 ATTORNEY D. B. REPLOGLE AIR METHOD ELECTRIC CLEANER AND CARPET SWEEPER Filed March 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 By a any/0 1e,

ATTORNEY June 29, 1937.

June 29, 1937. D. B. REPLOGLE AIR METHOD ELECTRIC CLEANER AND CARPET SWEEPER Filed March 26, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet s luJl lJUUHMIldlllhhhlllullllulilJlUlllIlLllH! Patented June 29, 19 37 PATENT, OFFICE AIR METHOD ELECTRIC CLEANER AND CARPET SWEEPER Daniel Benson Replogle, Berkeley, Calif., assignor to Citizens Trust Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trustee -Application March 26,

16 Claims.

The invention relates to a. cleaning apparatus and more particularly to a portable electrically operated cleaner utilizing the cleaning effect of swiftly moving air in combination with the cleaning action of a positively driven surface engaging member, preferably a revolving brush. Thus the apparatus combines the functions of an airmethod cleaner and a carpet sweeper.

The present application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 283,585, filed June '7, 1928, for Electrical attachment for floor tools or nozzles of pneumatic cleaners.

In designing the apparatus it is my aim to a large extent to utilize standard and interchangeable parts, connections and the like, which are covered by my prior patents and which are included in what is known as the Air-Way system, the term Air-Way being covered by regi'stered' trade-mark One of the objects of my invention is to provide improved means for supporting a paper dust collector bag in connection with a cleaner of the swinging handle type in such a way as to avoid strain upon the bag, and to prevent rupturing thereof.

Another object is' to provide a cleaner carrying an electricallyactuated fan for producing suction in a; floor tool or nozzle, an independent motor for operating afloor-engaging member or brush within the nozzle, and improved drivingmechanism interposed between the brush and motor. I k V A further object is to provide improvedmeans for interchangeably connecting the, source of suction to the floor tool or to an extension.mem-- her which may be employed for cleaning walls,

furniture and the like.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description,-

in which various specific embodiments of the inventive thought are set forth by way-of illustration, rather than by way of limitation.

In the drawings,

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively top, side and bottom views of one form of the combined sweeperand cleaner embodying my invention and including a wire frame for supporting the dust collector bag; v

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of a removable dust cap or valve with which the cleaner is equipped when employed for floor cleaning purp ses; r

55 Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an auxiliary clean- 1935, Serial No. 13,164

ing attachment or hose which may be substituted for the dust cap;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a hollow extension device or handle which may be used as part of the auxiliary cleaning equipment;

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation and top view showing a second embodiment of' the invention in which a different form of bag supporting frame or cage is employed; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cage separate from the other elements of the apparatus;

Fig. 10 is.a side view of a third modification of the invention in which an adjustable bag supporting frame is carried'by the cleaner handle;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the same with the bag removed;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the bag;

Fig. 13 is a top view showing an alternative form of fioor cleaning tool; I

Fig. 14 is an end view of the same;

,1 Fig. 15 is a detail view of one of the supporting rollers with which the floor tool is equipped.

Referring particularly to the'embodiments set forth in Figs. 1 to 3, reference numeral l0 denotes an electric motor employed for driving a suction producing fan, not shown, mounted within fan casing H, the exhaust outlet of which is indicated at l2. Aninlet to the fan is covered by a removable transparent cap or valve l3 having an opening I4 communicating with the fan and a' side opening l5 communicating with the conduit l6 leading to the floor tool or nozzle II which may be made removable if desired.

The fan motor l0 may be supplied with cur- ,rent through an inlet I 8 by means of a suitable conductor cord, not shown, and the motor casing is also shown as provided with an outlet plug l9 from which current may be supplied through i a detachable connector 20 to a separate motor 2| driving a brush or other positive surface engaging member'zi, within the nozzle l1, through suitable drivingfmeans 23, herein shown as a belt which passes through the rear wall of the nozzle. As shown, chambered arms'or castings Z4, 24 extend rearwardly' from the'mairi casting,

one of said arms receiving the belt wheel25 on one end of the motor shaft. Ordinarily but one belt will be necessary, but the second projection 24 is preferably made identical with the one which receives the belt wheel,'thus lending balance to the structure. The brush motor 2! may; if desired, be removably supported between the two projecting arms or castings. This motor may be removed, if desired, for the p p se of repair, cleaning, etc.

As shown, the apparatus is resiliently supported by two pairs of rollers, one pair 26, 26 being carriedby the castings 26, 24 and the other pair 21, 21 by the casing of the fan motor I0.

Where it is desired to employ the apparatus for purposes other than cleaning floors the cap l3 may be removed and an auxiliary connector 50 inserted in place thereof. This connector, as shown, is formed at one end of a flexible hose 5|, the opposite end of which 52 may serve as a nozzle, or if desired a further extension member 53, may be connected at the reduced end 54 of the nozzle through an attaching member 55. Any number of extension devices may be secured together in this manner so as to reach the desired location, as for example, the walls or ceiling of a room or the furniture or other contents of the room. The extension members may be similar to those disclosed in my prior Patent 1,533,271, dated April 14, 1925.

Dust laden air from the floor tool ,or from the auxiliary cleaning attachment may be directed through the discharge outlet 12 through suitable connections, herein shown as including a swiveled L member 23 and a detachable thimble or deflector 29, extending into a reduced inlet mouth 30 of a suitable dust collector 3!. The dust collector is preferably composed of porous paper and may be suitably reinforced, if desired, in a manner disclosed in my prior patents and applications, see for example my Patent 1,416,876, dated May 23, 1922, and my pending application Serial No. 552,050, filed July 20, 1931. The reinforcement, where employed, may take the form of an outerremovable cover or may be integral with the bag. The connections between the bag mouth and the bag discharge outlet l2 may be of any suitable type, such as disclosed for example in my prior patents and applications, see for instance my Patent 1,416,876 and my application Serial No. 650,915, filed January 9, 1933, now Patent No. 2,009,455. dated July 30, 1935.

According to my invention the bag 3| is supported within a wire framework designated generaily by the reference letter A, which in the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1. to 3 and '7 to 9, serves as a handle for the portable cleaner. The frame is light in weight, inexpensive in construction, and serves to support the bag when inflated in such a manner as to prevent strain thereon, particularly during the operation of raising and,lowerlng the handle. It is particularly important that the bag be supported adjacent the mouthportion thereof, and this is accomplished by my invention.-

The frame A-may be composed of a plurality of rods constructed of umbrella steel or other suitable material. As shown, the frame includes an upper pair of rods 32 having eye portions 33,

33 at one end thereof removably and hingedly' connected to bracket members 34, 34 mounted on conduit members l2 and 28 respectively. It will be noted that the axis of rotation of the swiveled member 28 is substantially in alignment with the ends of the brackets 34, 3d. The rods 32, 32, being resilient and springycan easily be applied to the brackets, and when so applied there is no danger of accidental removal, but when desired they can be easily taken oflf, thus separating the entire handle portion from the body of the cleaner.

At the rear the rods 32, 32 are retained by a collar 35 into the opposite end of which fits a grip or handle 38. Also extending from the collar 35 in a forward direction are a pair of lower frame members or wires 31, 31, which are supported at their opposite ends by a front frame 38 which connects with the upper frame and is likewise preferably composed of resilient wires. This front frame is so constructed as to support the front of the bag in such a manner as to relieve strain, particularly when the bag is inflated. The numeral 39 designates an extension member, herein shown as attached to the front frame, which serves as an abutment and provides a. stop so that by pressing down on the handle the abutment 39 will be caused to engage the motor casing and on further application of pressure the floor tool may be tilted upwardly about the rear rollers 21 as a fulcrum.

It will be obvious that when the bag is inflated as it will be when dust laden air is entering the same from the dust discharge outlet, the bag will be supported 'within the frame in such a manner as to avoid all strains, The frame may accordingly replace other reinforcement of the bag if desired, permitting the use of a plain porous bag.

The rear end of the bag is shown as provided with a clip 40 to which is attached a suitable flexible connector 4|, the other end of which is attached to a hook 42 which may extend from the grip portion 36. The length of the connector 6! may be adjusted as desired, or this member may be in the form of a spring so that the bag will be held under constant tension of any desired degree. Obviously by screwing the hook i2 inwardly or outwardly, the degree of tension may be varied as desired.

The modification disclosed in Figs. '7 to 9 is similar to that already described as to the motor, floor tool and belt drive, but differs there-. from in the form of bag support or frame and also in the connection between the fan discharge outlet and the bag mouth. The dust cap may be removable in the present embodiment of the invention and auxiliary extension devices may be substituted for wall cleaning and other purposes, as in the previously described embodiment of the invention.

As shown, a ring or collar is secured to the exhaust outlet l2, detachably if desired, and a pair of bracket arms 6|, 6| extend rearwardly from the collar; Hinge pins 62, 62 extend out-. wardly from the bracket arms and are adapted to receive eyes 63, 63 of a supporting wire frame or cage A, whose function is generally similar to the frame A of the previously described embodiment. In this modification of' the invention, however, the'wire frame which serves as a handle may be made in such a wayas to support an eye or ring which may be a part of a flexible connection extending from the mouth of the dust collector bag, the ring being in line with'a ring on the sweeper at the swiveled hinge. Thus when the paper bag'is attached to its nipple with the ring,

the ring is'slipped into its holder and the other end of the rubber or flexible part enters at the exhaust'on the fan case, thus making a removable flexible part to which the paper bag may be attached before placing the same into the wire frame and into alignment with the exhaust of the cleaner.

As shown, the frame or cage "A' is shaped to closely flt the inflated bag and includes longitudinal wires 64 terminating at the rear of the collar 65, which carries the grip member 66, while at the front the top wires terminate in the eyes 63, 63, previously referred to; The longitudinal wires are connected at intervals and at the front '75 aoeaoss end by U-shaped members 61 which may likewise be formed of spring material. The foremost one of these U-shaped members may serve as an abutment with a function similarto that of the abutment 39 in the previously described embodiment.

The frame includes a loop 68 in. a wire connecting the two top wires of the frame or cage, the function of which loop is to detachably support a flexible connecting member extending-from the mouth of the bag 69. The bag may be of any suitable construction, preferably of porous paper reinforced, if desired, into the reduced mouth of which extends a deflector-tip H which may form a part of a connector 12 having a flexible 15 portion, which connector is adapted to be detachably secured to the fan exhaust outlet. The purpose of this flexible portion is to permit swing ing movement of theframe or cage and the bag carried thereby, and its function is similar to that goof the swiveled member 28 in the previously de-.

scribed embodiment. The connector may be provided adjacent the bag mouth with an eyeor ring adapted to releasably fit into the wire loop 53 of the cage, which serves to support the weight of the connector and to hold the bag substantially immovable within the cage, the mouth portion of the bag and the connector being firmly held by the loop. The wire loop may be employed to assist in holding the mouth of the paper bag inair- 3o tight engagement with the flexible connector, as for example by providing the connector with a grooved collar from which the deflector extends and over which the reduced end of the bag is drawn. In such case the material of the bag connected to the body of the cleaner or may be secured in substantially rigid position by suitably locking thereto a wire frame or the like to which the dust collector bag is attached.

The valve cap is indicated by the reference numeral i5 and is preferably of the reversible form disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,345,550, dated July 6, 1920, and serves to connect the floor tool or the handle as desired to the source of suction. The cleaner handle 16 is of rigid material similar to what is described in my prior patents, and as herein shown is connected through a flexible tube Tito the inlet from the fan in a manner some what similar to what is described in my application Serial No. 650,915, filed January 9, 1933. As herein set forth, one end of the tube ll extends into a ring 78 rigid with the cleaner body and the other end into a ring 19 carried by the handle. The rings it and 19 are hingedly connected to each other by two pairs of bracket arms til, 80 and 8i, 8!, respectively, hinged at 88'. The dust collector bag 82 is carried beneath, the handle and supported by framework made up of longitudinal wires 93, t3 terminating at one end in a collar 8% adjustable on the handle and hinged at the other end to the body of the cleaner beneath the handle hinge and at a point somewhat removed therefrom. The hinged pins for the frame are in the form of outwardly extending brachetarms 85, d5 75 secured to the body of the cleaner. The bag is mouth will be forced into the groove in the con-.

, provided a suction handle which may be flexibly provided at one end with a clip '86 hingedly connected to the. rear end of the wire frame just below the slidable collar 8i and at the other end is suitably connected to the fan discharge outlet l2 in such a manner as to permit a swinging or swiveled movement, if desired, limited by spaced collars or stops 81, 81 carried by the handle. The connections between the bag and the fan discharge outlet may be similar to those described in either of the previously referred to embodiments of the invention. When the handle is moved up and down the collar 84 connected to the rear of the wire frame may slide up and down on the handle, but may be locked in any desired adjusted position by suitable fastening means 88, carried by the collar, cooperating with openings 89 ona sleeve mounted on the handle. Thus the handle may be rendered substantially. rigid'with the body of the cleaner at any desired inclination, so that the machine may then be tilted on its rollers as a fulcrum as in the customary rigid handle type "Air-Way cleaner, or by releasing the collar 84 the handle may be freely moved up and down as in my Patent No. 1,292,963, dated January 28, 1919. V

The dust collector bag is preferably of the reinforced variety, including an inner porous paper bag, not shown, and'an outer bag provided with an opening 90 extending along the bottom thereof and havig a suitable fastening and locking means, as the zipper 9|.

In Figs. 13 and 14 the floor tool is shown-provided at four corners with end rollers 92, shown in detail in Fig. 15, mounted on spring supports similar to those which are covered by my Patent 1,541,280, dated June 9, 1925.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, but obviously many variations and modifications suggested to those skilled in the art maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in. each of the modifications of the invention herein disclosed, the bag supporting framework. may be provided with a cross yoke or loop for supporting the bag at or adjacent the mouth thereof, as in Fig. 9. Also the supplemental mo,-

tor 21 may be suitably suspended from the casing l6 by means of yokes or bracket arms carried thereby and adapted to releasably engage the ends of the motor.

I claim: 1 1. In a device of the character described, in

combination with the body of a cleaner which includes afan discharge outlet, a bag supporting frame composed of longitudinally extending bars hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner, and a porous paper bag supported by said frame having its mouth portion swingably connected to said fan discharge outlet.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frame constitutes the handle of the cleaner.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frame is arranged to support the bag against strain, particularly adjacent the mouth portion thereof, when the frame is tilted with reference to the body of the cleaner. 4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frame is provided with a resilient loop for supporting the bag adjacent the mouth thereof. 5. A suction cleaner having a swiveled handle and a porous paper bag adapted to be connected with the exhaust of said suction cleaner and attached at its upper end to said handle, in combination with stiffening means hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner and extending longitudinally of the bag to prevent flexing of said bag during the manipulation of said handle, and a swingable connector extending between the exhaust of said suction cleaner and said bag forming the locus of flexibility between the exhaust of said suction cleaner and the lower end of said bag, said stiffening means comprising a bag supporting frame composed of longitudinally extending bars hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner.

6. A suction cleaner having a swiveled handle and a pair of coacting fabric bags one within the other adapted to be connected with the exhaust of said suction cleaner and attached at their upper ends to said handle, in combination with stiffening means hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner and extending longitudinally of the outer bag to prevent flexing of said pair of bags during the manipulation of said handle, and a swingable connector extending between the exhaust of said, suction cleaner and said pair of bags forming the locus of flexibility between the exhaust of said suction cleaner and the lower ends of said pair of bags, one of said pair of bags being composed of porous paper.

'7. A. suction cleaner .having a swinging handle and a porous paper dust collecting and air filtering bag adapted to be connected with theexhaust of said suction cleaner and to be supported at its upper end to said handle, in combination with stiffening means hingedly connected to the [body of the cleaner and longitudinally coextensive with said bag to prevent flexing of said bag during the manipulation of said handle, and a flexible connector extending between the exhaust oi said suction cleaner and said bag, forming the locus of flexibility between the exhaust of said suction cleaner and the lower end of said bag, said stifiening means comprising a bag supporting frame composed of longitudinally extending bars hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination with the body of a cleaner which includes a suction nozzle, a fan for producing suction within the nozzle, having a discharge outlet, rollers for supporting the body of the cleaner and a bag supporting framework composed of longitudinally extending bars hingedly connected to the body of the cleaner, a porous paper b'ag supported by said framework and having its mouth portion flexibly connected to said fan discharge outlet, and a handle grip secured to said framework at the end opposite to the cleaner body and serving as a means for propelling the cleaner body across the floor upon its supporting rollers.

9. In a device of the character described in combination with the body of a cleaner which includes a fan having an inlet and a discharge outlet, a porous paper bag having its mouth portion swingably connected to the fan discharge outlet, a suction pipe or handle hingedly connected to the cleaner body, a bag-supporting frame carried beneath the suction pipe, and a swingable hollow coupler connecting the handle to the fan inlet, whereby dust-laden air may be drawn into the cleaner through said pipe and discharged into said cleaner bag through the fan outlet, and securing means coacting with the frame for rendering the suction pipe substantially rigid with the body of the cleaner, while on release of the securing means the suction pipe may be moved freely up and down.

10. In a manually movable pneumatic cleaner, a stiif cage-like structure swingingly connected to the body of the cleaner, and adapted to sustain a porous flexible dust collecting andair filtering bag without interference with the passage of air therethrough; 11. In a manually movable pneumatic cleaner,

a stiff cage-like structure swingingly connected to the body of the cleaner, and adapted to sustain a porous flexible dust collecting and air filtering bag without interference with the passage of air therethrough, said cage-like structure constituting the handle of the cleaner.

12. In a device of the character described, in combination with the body of a cleaner which includes a fan discharge outlet, a porous flexible dust collecting bag having its mouth portion operatively connected to the fan discharge outlet, and a stiff bag supporting cage flexibly connected to the body of the cleaner, and serving to reinforce the dust collector bag without interference with the passage of air.

13. In a pneumatic cleaner, a suction handle swingably connected to the cleaner body, a flexible porous dust collecting bag, a stifi bag supporting member extending longitudinally of the bag and swingingly connected to the body of the cleaner, and means for releasably and adjustably securing the free end of the frame to the handle, comprising an adjustable collar slidably fitting the exterior of the handle whereby the suction handle may be held substantially rigid with the body of the cleaner, or by releasing the securing means may be moved freely up and down.

14. A pneumatic cleaner including a swingable handle, a cleaner bag supported by said handle, said handle having a substantially U-shaped member fitting over and releasably engaging the mouth of the bag to support the same.

15. A cleaner as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cage-like structure includes means releasably engaging. the mouth of the bag to support the same.

16. A cleaner as set forth in claim 10, wherein the cage-like structure includes a substantially U-shaped member releasably engaging the mouth of the bag to support the same.

DANIEL BENSON REPLO'GLE. 

